ECC faculty to lead summer study programs to France, Italy, Costa Rica and Ireland

Four Elgin Community College faculty members will lead summer study abroad experiences through the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs.

Students from all ICISP-member institutions, including ECC, can apply for these study abroad experiences.

Ginger Alms, associate professor of English, will take students to Carlow, Ireland; Maureen Gray, Ph.D., instructor of psychology, is heading to San Jose, Costa Rica; Travis Linville, professor of photography, will be going to Dijon, France; and David Zacker, Ph.D., professor of humanities, leads the trip to Urbania, Italy.

"These are highly competitive positions, with many faculty from across the state applying," said Lauren Nehlsen, Ph.D., associate dean of recruitment, outreach services, and global engagement and ICISP representative. "In the 15 years I've been at ECC, we've never had this many faculty in one summer selected. It's an exciting and prestigious reflection of our faculty's qualifications."

Faculty liaison responsibilities include managing day-to-day activities, recruiting students to participate, coordinating events in the host country, and assisting with program logistics.

Personal study abroad experiences and a love for travel factored heavily in the ECC's faculty members' decision to apply to lead a study abroad experience.

"Studying abroad was perhaps the most life-changing experience I had as a student," said Linville. "As a student abroad, you are unlike other travelers. The desire to learn about another place and culture - not simply pass through - fundamentally changes the experience." Linville studied French for four years and continued learning about the language and culture through his sister, a high school French teacher.

Gray, the liaison for the group traveling to Costa Rica, spent time there as a student in 2015.

"Costa Rica is an incredibility beautiful and welcoming country," said Gray. "That trip opened up my entire world. I am excited to build relationships with new students and accompany them as they make their memories there."

For more information on ECC's study abroad program, visit studyabroad.elgin.edu.